Where the Danube Meets the Black Sea : Image of the Day acquired February 5, 2013 download large image (4 MB, JPEG, 3679x3679) acquired February 5, 2013 download GeoTIFF file (31 MB, TIFF) acquired February 5, 2013 download Google Earth file (KML) Editor’s Note: Today’s caption is the answer to Earth Observatory’s February Puzzler. The Danube River is the largest in the European Union, its watershed draining 801,463 square kilometers (309,447 square miles) of land across 19 countries. Where that great river reaches the Black Sea, a remarkable delta has formed—the “Everglades” of Europe. The Danube Delta is home to more than 300 species of bird and 45 species of freshwater fish. The Danube Delta has been home to human settlements since the end of the Stone Age (the Neolithic Period), and the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines all built trading ports and military outposts along this coast.

Today, the border between Romania and Ukraine cuts through the northern part of the delta. The area is a United Nations World Heritage Site, both for its natural and human history, and for the traditional maritime culture that persists in its marshes. All the while, the landscape has been shaped and re-shaped by nature and man. The image above was acquired on February 5, 2013, by the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite. The Danube Delta has a number of lobes formed over the past several thousand years, and this image is focused largely on the northernmost Chilia (or Kilia) lobe. It is the youngest section of the delta—somewhere between 300 to 400 years old—and lies mostly within Ukraine. Much of the land in the image above is officially considered part of the Danube Biosphere Reserve. (To see more about how the delta formed, click here. ) Near the center of the image, the small city of Vylkove is known as the “Ukranian Venice,” due to its canals.

To the lower left, the older Sulina lobe of the delta stretches to the south and further inland into Romania. White and brown curved lines reveal beach ridges and former shorelines, with the whiter ridges composed almost entirely of pure quartz sand in high dunes. To the east of the ridges, most of the landscape is flat marshland that is mostly brown in the barren days of winter. The Bystroye Canal through the center of the Chilia lobe has been the subject of heated debate over the past two decades. Over the centuries, damming and channeling of the Danube throughout Europe has reduced its water flow and sediment load to roughly 30 percent of what it once was, according to coastal geologist Liviu Giosan of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. In recent years, the Ukrainian government has dredged some delta channels (including Bystroye) and proposed extensive dredging of others in order to provide navigational channels for large ships. Proponents argue for the economic needs of water transportation routes. Opponents note that deeper, faster channels mean less mud and sand is deposited in the delta; in some places, more is carried away by swifter currents.

Both affect the sensitive ecosystems and the ability of the delta to restore itself and grow. In a 2012 report led by Giosan, scientists noted that the shape, water chemistry, and biology of Danube Delta was being altered long before the modern Industrial Era. Land use practices—particularly farming and forest clearing—added significant amounts of nutrients into the water and reduced salinity in the Black Sea, changing the dominant species of phytoplankton and sending a ripple of effects through the entire food web. Related Reading Accessed February 15, 2013. Der Spiegel Scientific Reports 2, 582. The Danube Spills into the Black Sea : Image of the Day News & Notes acquired June 9, 2003 download large image (2 MB, JPEG, 2080x2080) This cloud-free Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) view of the Black Sea on June 9, 2003, reveals the colorful interplay of currents on the lake’s surface.

The green crescent shaped pattern in the northwestern corner of the Black Sea is due to the nutrient-rich, sediment-laden discharge of the Danube River stimulating biological activity. The brighter, more turquoise patterns on the lake to the south and east are probably blooms of another type of phytoplankton. The Danube is Europe’s second longest river, and the only major river on the continent to flow from west to east. The Danube originates in Germany’s Black Forest and, from there, flows eastward roughly 1,770 miles (2,850 km) where it divides to form a large delta on the Romanian coast of the Black Sea. Where does the River Danube start? | Reference.com Where does the River Danube start? A: Quick Answer The River Danube begins in the Black Forest of Germany, where the rivers Berg and Brigach meet in the town of Donaueschingen. The Danube is the second longest river in Europe, after the Volta. It passes through four capital cities and 10 countries before it empties into the Black Sea near the Ukraine. Full Answer The Danube is the only river in Europe that flows from the west to the east.

It is 1,775 miles long and at its widest point measures almost 1 mile wide. Major tributaries include the rivers Inn, Drava, Sava, Prut and Tisza. It flows through the countries of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovakia, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine, and its river basin includes nine more countries. Black Sea | ICPDR - International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Black Sea Black Sea The Black Sea is the world's most isolated sea-connected to the Oceans via the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosphorus, Dardanelle and Gibraltar straits, and linked with the Sea of Azov in the northeast through the Kerch Strait. The catchment area of the Black Sea is six times larger than its surface with the Danube being its main tributary. The Black Sea Protection Commission is responsible for the sustainable management of the Black Sea. The unique ecosystem of the North-Western Shelf of the Black Sea is burdened by excessive loads of nutrients and hazardous substances from the coastal countries and the rivers that enter it – the most important of which is the Danube, followed by the Dnjestr and the Dnjepr.

Pollution inputs and other factors have radically changed Black Sea ecosystems beginning around 1960, and seriously threatening biodiversity and our use of the sea for fishing and recreation. In addition to nutrient pollution, other pressures on the Black Sea ecosystems include organic pesticides, heavy metals, incidental and operational spills from oil vessels and ports, over-fishing and invasions of exotic species. The Black Sea is the world largest water body containing hydrogen sulfide. This is because it has an inflow of salty Mediterranean sea water in the deep layers and an inflow of river water on the top - so the sea is stratified and can not even be mixed by wind. This led to oxygen depletion in layers below 80 to 150 m and to the building of hydrogen sulfide. What is the future of the Black Sea? Nitrogen inputs into the Black Sea have been reduced recently, but are still higher as those observed during the 1960s; current phosphate inputs appear to be roughly the same as in the 1960s.

According to information from the Black Sea Commission efforts to reduce discharges from 49 high priority pollution sources, pollution from insufficiently treated waste water and airborne emissions in all the Black Sea coastal states are beginning to bear fruit, since fewer and less intense algal blooms are now being recorded in the sea, while total fish catches have increased. Pollution from municipalities and industry is clearly declining due to the following factors: economic recession in the lower Danubian and former Soviet countries successful measures taken to reduce nutrient discharges in the upper Danube countries, including dramatic reductions in the use of fertilizers and considerable improvements in the treatment of waste water the implementation of a ban on polyphosphate detergents in some countries What the ICPDR is doing The ICPDR has joined forces with the Black Sea Commission to remedy the environmental degradation of the Black Sea through the Danube by establishing a Joint Technical Working Group. This body is currently drafting guidelines for achieving good environmental status in the coastal waters of the Black Sea, in line with EU legislation. Co-operation between the two commissions started in 1997 on a preliminary basis, and was reinforced by a Memorandum of Understanding signed at a ministerial meeting in Brussels in November 2001.

The ICPDR is also a member of the DABLAS Task Force, which was set up in November 2001 as a platform for co-operation between international financial institutions (IFIs), donors and beneficiaries with regard to the protection of water and water-related ecosystems along the Danube and in the Black Sea. The task force includes representatives from the countries in the region, the ICPDR, the Black Sea Commission, IFIs, the EC, interested EU Member States, and other bilateral donors, as well as other regional/ and international organisations.

Downloads Memorandum of Understanding between the International Commission for the Protection of the Black Sea (ICPBS) and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) on common strategic goals Document No.: IC/027 Version: FINAL Related Danube River | river, Europe | Britannica.com Danube River Alternative Titles: Donau, Duna, Dunaj, Dunărea, Dunav, Dunay Related Topics István, Count Széchenyi Danube River, German Donau, Slovak Dunaj, Hungarian Duna, Serbo-Croatian and Bulgarian Dunav, Romanian Dunărea, Ukrainian Dunay , river , the second longest in Europe after the Volga . It rises in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany and flows for some 1,770 miles (2,850 km) to its mouth on the Black Sea . Along its course it passes through 10 countries: Germany, Austria , Slovakia , Hungary , Croatia , Serbia , Bulgaria , Romania , Moldova , and Ukraine . The Danube River basin and its drainage network. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Boats along the Danube River, Belgrade, Serbia.

Jon Arnold/SuperStock The Danube River links the countries of the Balkan Peninsula to each other and to the rest of … Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. The Danube played a vital role in the settlement and political evolution of central and southeastern Europe. Its banks, lined with castles and fortresses, formed the boundary between great empires, and its waters served as a vital commercial highway between nations. The river’s majesty has long been celebrated in music. The famous waltz An der schönen, blauen Donau (1867; The Blue Danube ), by Johann Strauss the Younger , became the symbol of imperial Vienna. In the 21st century the river has continued its role as an important trade artery. It has been harnessed for hydroelectric power, particularly along the upper courses, and the cities along its banks—including the national capitals of Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), and Belgrade (Serbia)—have depended upon it for their economic growth. Central Budapest, looking north along the Danube River, with the Parliament Building on the east … Jean S. Buldain/Berg & Assoc.

Physical features Physiography The Danube’s vast drainage of some 315,000 square miles (817,000 square km) includes a variety of natural conditions that affect the origins and the regimes of its watercourses. They favour the formation of a branching, dense, deepwater river network that includes some 300 tributaries, more than 30 of which are navigable. The river basin expands unevenly along its length. It covers about 18,000 square miles (47,000 square km) at the Inn confluence , 81,000 square miles (210,000 square km) after joining with the Drava , and 228,000 square miles (590,000 square km) below the confluences of its most affluent tributaries, the Sava and the Tisza . In the lower course the basin’s rate of growth decreases. More than half of the entire Danube basin is drained by its right-bank tributaries, which collect their waters from the Alps and other mountain areas and contribute up to two-thirds of the total river runoff or outfall.

The confluence of the Sava (foreground) and Danube rivers from the Kalemegdan fortress, Belgrade, … Jean S. Buldain/Berg & Assoc. Opium Wars The river carries considerable quantities of solid particles, nearly all of which consist of quartz grains. The constant shift of deposits in different parts of the riverbed forms shoals. In the stretches between Bratislava and Komárno and in the Sulina Channel, draglines are constantly at work to maintain the depth needed for navigation. The damming of the river has also changed the way in which sediments are transported and deposited. Water impounded by reservoirs generally loses its silt load, and the water flowing out of the dam—which is relatively silt-free—erodes banks farther downstream. The temperature of the river waters depends on the climate of the various parts of the basin. In the upper course, where the summer waters derive from the Alpine snow and glaciers, the water temperature is low. In the middle and lower reaches, summer temperatures vary between 71 and 75 °F (22 and 24 °C), while winter temperatures near the banks and on the surface drop below freezing.

Upstream from Linz the Danube never freezes entirely, because the current is turbulent. The middle and lower courses, however, become icebound during severe winters. Between December and March, periods of ice drift combine with the spring thaw, causing floating ice blocks to accumulate at the river islands, jamming the river’s course, and often creating major floods. The natural regime of river runoff changes constantly as a result of the introduction of stream-regulating equipment, including dams and dikes. The mineral content of the river is greater during the winter than the summer. The content of organic matter is relatively low, but pollution increases as the waters flow past industrial areas. The river’s chemistry also changes as city sewerage and agricultural runoff find their way into the river. The economy The Danube is of great economic importance to the 10 countries that border it—Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Austria, and Germany—all of which variously use the river for freight transport, the generation of hydroelectricity, industrial and residential water supplies, irrigation, and fishing . The movement of freight is the most important economic use of the Danube.

Among the major ports are such cities as Izmayil , Ukraine; Galați and Brăila , Romania; Ruse , Bulgaria; Belgrade, Serbia; Budapest, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna, Austria; and Regensburg, Germany. Since World War II , navigation has been improved by dredging and by the construction of a series of canals, and river traffic has increased considerably. The most important canals—all elements in a continentwide scheme of connecting waterways—include the Danube–Black Sea Canal , which runs from Cernovadă, Romania, to the Black Sea and provides a more direct and easily navigable link, and the Main–Danube Canal , completed in 1992 to link the Danube to the Rhine and thus to the North Sea . Boats along the Danube River, Belgrade, Serbia. Jon Arnold/SuperStock The Danube has been tapped for power, mainly in its upper course. The process, however, has spread downstream. One of the largest hydroelectric projects—the Ðerdap (Djerdap) High Dam and the Iron Gate power station—was built jointly by Yugoslavia and Romania.

Not only does the project produce hydroelectricity, but it also makes navigable what was once one of the most difficult stretches on the river. Industrial use of Danube waters is made at Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, and Ruse. The main irrigated areas are along the river in Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria. The river has nearly become unfit for irrigation as well as for drinking water, however, because of the tremendous increase in pollutants; pollution has also diminished the once-rich fishing grounds, although some of the fish have moved to side lakes and swamps. History During the 7th century bce, Greek sailors reached the lower Danube and sailed upstream, conducting a brisk trade. They were familiar with the whole of the river’s lower course and named it the Ister. The Danube later served as the northern boundary of the vast Roman Empire and was called the Danuvius. A Roman fleet patrolled its waters, and the strongholds along its shores were the centres of settlements, among them Vindobona (later Vienna), Aquincum (later Budapest), Singidunum (later Belgrade), and Sexantaprista (later Ruse).

During the Middle Ages the old fortresses continued to play an important role, and new castles such as Werfenstein, built by Charlemagne in the 9th century, were erected. When the Ottoman Empire spread from southeastern to central Europe in the 15th century, the Turks relied upon the string of fortresses along the Danube for defense. The Habsburg dynasty recognized the navigational potential of the Danube. Maria Theresa , queen of Hungary and Bohemia from 1740 to 1780, founded a department to oversee river navigation, and in 1830 a riverboat made a first trip from Vienna to Budapest, possibly for trading purposes. That trip marked the end of the river’s importance as a line of defense and the beginning of its use as a channel of trade. Maria Theresa, portrait by W.H. Mote, 1861. The Print Collector/Heritage-Images Regulated navigation on the Danube has been the subject of a number of international agreements. In 1616 an Austro-Turkish treaty was signed in Belgrade under which the Austrians were granted the right to navigate the middle and lower Danube.

In 1774, under the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca , Russia was allowed to use the lower Danube. The Anglo-Austrian and the Russo-Austrian conventions of 1838 and 1840, respectively, promoted free navigation along the entire river, a principle that was more precisely formulated in the Treaty of Paris of 1856, which also set up the first Danubian Commission with the aim of supervising the river as an international waterway. In 1921 and 1923, final approval of the Danube River Statute was granted by Austria, Germany, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania, Great Britain, Italy , Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Greece. The international Danube Commission was thus established as an authoritative institution with wide powers, including its own flag, the right to levy taxes, and diplomatic immunity for its members. It controlled navigation from the town of Ulm to the Black Sea and kept navigational equipment in good repair.

During World War II, free international navigation along the course of the river was interrupted by the hostilities, and a consensus concerning the resumption of navigation was not reached until the Danubian Convention of 1948. The new convention provided for the Danubian countries alone to participate in a reconstituted Danube Commission; of those countries, only West Germany did not join the convention. Cruise the Danube River to the Black Sea | Cruising Holidays Last Updated: 28 December 2016 16:18:59 Danube To The Black Sea Highlights Belgrade (Serbia) The large capital of Serbia has an energetic atmosphere, melding cultural influences from its turbulent past. Explore St Sava church, Republic Square and enjoy the lively café culture. The vast Kalemegdan Fortress has splendid views of the Sava and Danube Rivers, Marshal Tito's tomb and the former living quarters of high-ranking communist officials. Bratislava (Slovakia) The quaint streets of Bratislava lead to lively squares and medieval St Michael's Gate, topped with a 51-meter tower and a balcony with fantastic views of the old city.

Bratislava has the oldest Town Hall in Slovakia and many impressive Baroque palaces. Highlights include the grand Pramatial Palace, St Martin's Cathedral and 13th-century Bratislava Castle. Bucharest The lovely city of Bucharest has wide avenues and some impressive buildings including the Roman Arc de Triomphe, the Royal Palace which houses the National Art Museum and the Antim Monastery. The modern Parliament Building is the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon and is open to visitors for tours. It was originally built by deposed President Ceaucescu as his palace. Budapest (Hungary) The Danube divides the capital of Hungary into old Buda and cosmopolitan Pest. In the Pest district are graceful mansions leading to the vast and imposing Hero’s Square. Across the river is the famous Chain Bridge and in the hill-top castle district is Buda Castle and its fine gardens, the Royal Palace and the fairytale turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion. Iron Gates (Romania) The magnificent gorges of the Iron Gates are the natural border between Serbia and Romania, and are one of the highlights of a cruise on the Danube River.

The gorges carve a channel between the Carpathian Mountains and the foothills of the Balkans. Novi Sad (Serbia) Novi Sad is Serbia’s second-largest city, and has broad, elegant streets and large squares, dominated by its lofty cathedral. Marshal Vauban’s impregnable fortress, Petrovaradin, overlooks the Danube and has a reversed clock which can be read by fishermen on the river. Rousse (Bulgaria) Rousse is one of Bulgarias oldest cities, built on the site of a Roman fort. It is known as Little Vienna for its fine Baroque and neo-classical architecture, and has the only bridge across the Danube which connects Bulgaria and Romania. Nearby are medieval Veliko Tarnavo and Arbanasi. Vienna (Austria) Vienna is famous for its delicious pastries, the waltz and romantic architecture. Along the broad Ringstrasse is the beautiful Austrian National Library and cafés and shops line Kärntnerstrasse. Visits may be offered to Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Opera House or nearby Schönbrunn Palace, which was the grand summer residence of the Habsburgs.

It has formal gardens, the first zoo and an atmospheric faux-Roman folly. Top Offers 8 Nights, Fly Cruise from £1895pp Save £750pp! 10 Nights, Fly Cruise from £2195pp Save up to £1000pp on 2017 dates! About the Danube River ABOUT About the Danube River The longest river in the European Union, the Danube River is the second-longest river in Europe after Russia’s Volga. It begins in the Black Forest region of Germany and runs through 10 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine) on its way to the Black Sea. Much older than the Rhine, its basin is thought to have been the site of some of the earliest human cultures, and it remains one of Europe’s most important and historic waterways and a popular river cruise destination. Find itineraries for Danube river cruises from Viking River Cruises. Even before the expansion of the Roman Empire, the river was an important way to move cargo, like salt, furs and other goods, and passengers though the region.

Centuries of use as a trade route prepared the way for today’s Danube River cruise. Today, in addition to navigation and transport, the Danube provides drinking water for about 10 million people. Danube cruise travelers will see not only a beautiful river but a working one as well. The River’s Many Names Oddly enough, the waterway is not called “Danube” in any of the countries through which it runs. In German, it is the Donau; in Czech, the Dunaj; in Hungarian, the Duna and so forth. Worshipping a god of the same name, the ancient Romans called the waterway Danubius. All these names derive from the Celtic word danu, which means “to flow” or “to run.” Along the Water One-third of the Danube’s total length is in Hungary; Hungary’s capital, Budapest, is often called “the Queen of the Danube.” From the water on a cruise, the city is particularly spectacular at night, with lights illuminating Budapest’s Chain Bridge, Parliament Building and other famous structures. The waterway is also a major artery in Austria, with ports at Regensburg, Passau, Linz, Melk and Vienna.

The river is quite scenic, featuring the Iron Gate, where it flows through a gorge that forms part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania, and the picturesque Wachau wine valley near Melk, Austria. The Wachau Valley is renowned not only for its natural beauty but also for its widely praised Riesling and Veltiner wines. Though ruggedly beautiful, the Iron Gate is naturally a very dangerous section of the Danube River to navigate. Its powerful rapids prevented Greek sailors in the seventh century B.C. from progressing further when sailing up from the Black Sea. The Iron Gate was made safe for a Danube River cruise with technologies such as a lock and dam system and barrage walls, but it is still gloriously scenic. Art and Music The waterway has inspired countless musicians and artists through the years. It was immortalized in the famous waltz, The Blue Danube, composed by Austrian Johann Strauss on a cruise down the river. This piece is enormously popular throughout the world and is particularly cherished in Austria. Another famous waltz is The Waves of the Danube by Romanian composer Ion Ivanovici—a sensation at the 1889 Paris Exposition.

The late jazz musician Joe Zawinul wrote a symphony called Stories of the Danube, first performed at Linz in 1993. There is a 500-year-old German landscape painting tradition called “the Danube school.” The beautiful landscapes and expressive figures of this circle of painters in the early sixteenth century capture some of the enchantment that can be experienced on a Danube River cruise. The Main–Danube Canal Throughout history, mankind has tried to alter the course of Europe’s major rivers. Twelve hundred years ago, Charlemagne dreamed of connecting the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers into one watercourse between the North Sea and the Black Sea. Though a connecting trench was created, the challenges of construction at this early point in history as well as the upheaval of wars and other events delayed the achievement of Charlemagne’s goal. In 1992, this dream was realized with the opening of the Main-Danube Canal. This 106-mile-long canal created a 2,200-mile-long waterway which passes through 15 countries and unites hundreds of inland ports.

While the Canal is an artificial waterway, it by no means detracts from the natural beauty around it. In fact, very few passing through it on a cruise can detect that it is not an organic element of the landscape. Natural splendor and engineering marvels combine to create the Danube’s unique majesty. Call Viking at Geography | danube.travel - Discover the Danube Danube Movies The Danube is a river of diversities, in all possible aspects. Geographically speaking, it changes constantly - its width, its depth, the landscapes around it, are never the same. A visitor eager to see all of the Danube's2857 kilometres, has the opportunity to visit many rivers at the same time: a mountain river, than a river that flow through the plains, a river surrounded by steep cliffs, a river that slowly conquers endless fields. The German section of the Danube winds its way through Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, covering 199 kilometres through Baden -Württemberg and 448 kilometres through Bavaria.

After the Black Forest, where it raises, it flows past a wealth of glorious countryside: rolling Alpine foothills, through a long and narrow strip of Southern Germany, pass the Lake Constanca and Lake Chiemsee. Finally, it heads towards the Bavarian Forest. In Austria, the Danube flows for 350 km. Its banks in this country are as diversiful as they can be: wooded, steeply overhanging riverbanks alternate with fertile plains, luscious pastures and vineyards. Something different happens in the next segment of the river -in Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia. In all of these countries, the Danube runs through plain lands, with only a few hills on its sides. Its 172 km in Slovakia, the Danube runs along silhouettes of old towns and monuments, woods and picturesque fields - very wide and slow. Hungarian part of the Danube is 417 km long and cuts through hilly, Southern extension of the Carpathian Mountains. The river divides the country into the Great Plain on the East, and Transdanubia Plain on the West.

Flowing along its 188 km in Croatia, the Danube passes through serene and beautiful Pannonian Plain. The river's path through this country, ends in Kopacki Rit - National park which is home to a large number of specific bird and animal species. Croatia and Serbia are bordered by the Danube, so the first part of Serbia's 588 km is the same as the Croatian: flat plains alternate with a rather hilly ones. After Fruska Gora low mountain complex, it changes, and in the Eastern Serbia becomes a mountain river. On the border of Serbia and Romania, the river separates Carpathian Mountains on the Romanian side, and the Balkan Mountains on the Serbian side. It carved its passage through the mountains and now flows through the largest gorge in Europe. This part of the river - the Iron Gates, is one of Europe's most scenic landscapes. The Danube banks on both sides of the border are under state protection as national parks. The longest portion of the Danube runs through Romania. For more than thousand kilometres, its banks change from the steepest cliffs, into a swampy plains.

It borders the country from the East, at the the Iron Gates, and after that it broadens and forms most of the state border to Bulgaria. The valley of the lower course of the Danube in Romania is flat - at Galati, the river divides into an expansive delta, before entering the Black Sea. Northern branch of the delta runs along the border between Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. Total length of the Danube in Bulgaria is 480 km. At the border with Romania, it flows pass the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. The further we go, the landscapes turn into hilly or flat land, dominated by forests, swamps, islands and riverside marshes. Geographically speaking, The Danube in Ukranine and Moldova doesn't change much in comparison to its lower part in Bulgaria. The only mountains in Ukraine are in the West and extreme South of the country, and the Danube's 160 km - forming the border with Romania - are far away from them. Moldova has access to the Danube for only about 480 meters, and those are flat as well.

There are a large number of significant landscapes along the Danube, and many of them are under state or international protection. The first impressive region is the Black Forest, where it rises - mount Feldberg is the tallest peak in Germany, outside of the Alps. In Austria, the most famous and important nature highlights are: the Danube loop in Schlögen, where the granite bedrock of the Bohemian Massif forces the river into a double change of direction, and breath-taking Wachau Valley, which was declared as UNESCO World Heritage. The river becomes Slovak at the point of its confluence with the Morava, beneath a castle rock. This monumental rock, more than seventy meters high, stands over the Danube's entrance to the Devin Gate, through which the river overcomes the narrowest projection of the Small Carpathians. The Danube Bend in Hungary is also one of the sites that visitors never forget. Between the towns of Esztergom and Szenntendre, the river turns sharply to the South in the direction of Budapest, forming one of the most exiting and beautiful landscapes of the Danube.

In Croatia, a visitor can enjoy the nature of Kopacki Rit, where only birds' and animals' sounds spoil the absolute peace and quiet. Serbian part of the river offers the calmness of the Pannonian plain, vineyards of Fruska Gora, river Sava confluence at Serbian capital Belgrade, but above all - Iron Gates, the steepest gorge in Europe, the unbelievable landscape shared with Romania. Romania has a number of natural highlights along the river, but the Danube Delta is its most important area. It covers over four thousand square kilometres and shelters 5200 bird and animal species. In Bulgaria, there are three nature parks along the Danube. Among other sites, quite unique Rocks of Belogradchik stand out, as one the most amazing geological phenomena in this part of the Balkans: out of the red stone, the nature carved huge pillars and figures that look like soldiers, monks, wild creatures and fairy tale heroes, overlooking the Danube- the river unique for many things. Above all, it goes for the geography and nature, which inspired people to live by the Danube, creating its remarkable history and culture. - Your Trip Plan is currently empty.

Add a city, location or route to create your trip plan. My Danube Trip Plan Your Trip Plan is currently empty. Add a city, location or route to create your trip plan. Follow us on social media Danube FAQ — CANOEING THE CONTINENT Thanks Danube FAQ Frequently asked questions regarding exploring the river Danube. If you are thinking about canoeing or kayaking on the river Danube, particularly a long distance journey. The Danube is Europe's second longest river and is an excellent place to canoe and kayak. The information is answers given by the two men who canoed 3000 miles across Europe taking in ten countries and countless waterways. If you want information on paddling the Danube, this is the place to look. Canoeing on the Danube The Danube is Europe's second longest river and undergoes dramatic changes throughout its course. Though big, it is paddled fairly regularly each summer, particularly from Germany through to Hungary. There is also the organised Tour International Danube each year, a huge regatta where a large group paddle the entire length of the river. Their itinerary is extremely useful and can be found here .

Below are probably just a few of your questions, so if you want to know more just get in touch through our contact page . What maps did you use? For the Danube we used the BIKELINE maps for the DANUBE CYCLE PATH (donauradweg) which come in a range of languages and can be ordered online. These maps cover the entire river and are a fantastic scale providing great detail. The maps also act as a concise guide book giving tid-bits of historic information along route. You need nothing more than these maps with the exception of the final 300kms of the Danube where the cycle path leaves the river in Romania. If you plan to canoe this section it is important to get another, up to date, map since the river here is awash with islands and difficult to navigate. To find such maps we suggest you contact Tour International Danube (TID) who apparently provide specific maps for this section. Do you need a river permit? No. The Danube is an international waterway and permits are not required. There are certain rules for individual countries that should be adhered to however. In serbia national flags must be flown (or an equivalent sticker on the canoe).

In Austria life jackets must be worn at locks or dams (we strongly suggest you wear lifejackets the entire time, however. We did). In Germany you should have a boat name and address clearly marked on the vessel and should be affiliated with a canoeing body (for us membership of the British Canoe Union (BCU)). Where are there dams on the river? The Danube has more than 100 Dams with most in Germany and Austria, quickly petering out thereafter. All of these dams and locks are well signposted and some have buoys that lead you to the river bank. The Tour International Danube publishes its anual itinerary which features all there camp points, along with all obstacles and locks including what bank you should pull in for portage (L or R) and what distance marker the Portage should begin. This information is accurate and definitely worth using, it can be found here on their 2013 PDF file. N.B. On TIDs itinerary for 12.07.13 in location named 'Cunovo' the description is to portage on the right bank to the old Danube river bed.

This complicated section of the itinerary is deceiving since there are really two options on the right hand side, you can go 'far right' or to a large dam that is on the right hand side but does not go all the way to the river-bank. It is for this dam you want to head and once closer you will find sign posts to help you with the portage. In short: at 1852 go right but head for the dam not for the river-bank, here there are signs for canoes. How do I get around the dams? There are a two ways around the locks. At most you must carry or wheel your canoe. There will be a ramp, or a series of steps which you can use. Sometimes there will be a trolley waiting there for you and you can wheel your canoe around the dam, and down to a similar dock on the far side of the dam. If there is no trolley, there might be one on the far side, so it could be worth a walk around to see. On some dams there are shoots that you can slide down in your canoe. Sometimes you will see a bell and rope on the bank near one of these banks or a lever to pull.

By ringing the bell you alert the control tower who will open the gate for you. Once this has lowered and the green light shows you can plummet down the ramp. If, like us, you find you are not canoeing during tourist season there may be no one there to operate the ramp. For this you can either carry around or (be cheeky) and go down the slide anyway even though theres not much water on it. but be careful because you don't want to get stuck! The two locks in Serbia/Romania marked as Djerdap I and II are the only places you may have problems. The lock keepers do not want to deal with canoes and there is no sign posted set up here. We got shooed away from the lock on either side of the dam but eventually convinced the Romanian side to let us in with a cruise ship and go down in the lock. At the second we chatted and were slowed by countless members of authority but were eventually allowed to walk around and place our canoe back in the river on the other side. With these locks prepare for a long wait and a lot of talking, ultimately you have a right to be allowed passed. Are there other obstacles on the river?

River Traffic is around but as the river widens they pose less of a problem. From Germany to Hungary the traffic is far worse then further downstream and is certainly something to be aware of. There are cruise ships, tankers and some smaller speed boats that you can often hear from fairly far away. Generally try and keep to the right and always stay aware of whats going on around and behind you. We joined the Danube at Kelheim but we are informed that in the first 200km or so from the source the river passes many light rapids, which do have the potential to damage canoes and kayaks if paddlers are not careful. From Kelheim onwards, however, there are no rapids What are the border formalities? Up until the Hungary/Serbia border you are travelling in the Shengan Zone and do not need to do anything when you cross borders. Leaving Hungary you need to be aware and look for the port customs at the nearest town to each border. Leaving Hungary there is a large building on the right hand bank with flags flying and here you 'check out' of the country.

In the next town there are similar flags flying on the left side of the river where you can stop and 'check in' to Serbia. This procedure is the same for all borders. Before leaving a country you get stamped out and entering each country you get stamped in. As an international waterway you should not have to pay for your passage on the water at any borders. However, in Serbia we were charged a fee since we were deemed a leisure boat and had to pay a government charge. Still not sure whether we were conned on that one or not! We were aware of kayakers in the past who had not needed any paperwork but us, in our canoe, were told we required a crew list for each country. This was a form we were given at each customs office which we would fill out stating our names and information about the canoe (its length, width, make, e.t.c.). It is this form which we stamped in and out at each border. In short: at each border look for a customs office which will be on the riverside in the closest town. Stop and tell them what you are doing, showing your passports. As an international waterway they will let you pass. How long will it take?

The average distance per day varies greatly and obviously depends a lot on how much you stop and what you want to see on route. That said, at least 60kms a day was pretty standard with the exception of the slow water for the 100kms upstream of the Djerdap dams in Serbia. Our longest day was just over 80kms. From Kelheim the Danube took us 45 days. The Tour International Danube have an itinerary of 65 days - perhaps more realistic if you want to spend a good amount of time in towns and cities. Canoe storage when stopping briefly? Take a long bike lock. When leaving the canoe we would always lock it to something using a long bike lock and took our paddles with us. As for leaving bags in the canoe, we learnt this lesson the hard way. Admittedly the city of Tour on the river Loire is no small village, but we had loads of our gear stolen from our dry bags, including tent and sleeping bags, when we visited the city for an afternoon. From then on whenever we stopped anywhere we locked the canoe and took both of our large dry bags with us.

That meant the canoe was left alone with only food in it, easily replaced. Other than Tour we never encountered any problems. Canoe storage at night? Canoe club and rowing clubs are fairly frequent from Germany to Hungary and many offer good camping facilities. The TID camping locations, marked on their itinerary, can be useful for this. These are good secure places to stay and meet like minded people. All along the Danube you can find wild camping spots and the further down the river you go the easier this becomes. By Bulgaria and Romania you can camp almost anywhere. We did plenty of wild camping but be aware it is not legal in Germany or Austria so be particularly careful there. Here we simply slept with the canoe rolled over next to our tent. We could also store a few things under it at night time to keep them dry, sometimes using a bike lock to hold everything safely together. Canoe storage in cities? Again, use a trusty bike lock and lock the canoe to something. As in the previous question canoe and rowing clubs are ideal places to store your canoe safely. The people there are like minded and keen to help you out.

If you are not staying in a club or campsite our advice is NOT to lock the canoe and leave it by the river while you stay in a hotel. Talk to the hotel and ask them about storage, ask in the tourist info, but for safety in the city be sure to find somewhere. We often used the friendly people on or - online communities set up by travellers to help travellers. If your in need of a friend to help you out abroad, these are the websites to use. What are the options for the delta? Since we did not follow the delta our answer is quoted from the following website: "here are three. At Tulcea the channel splits into three main navigation routes, the Bystroe route in the north, Sulina route in the middle and Sfantul Gheorghe route in the south. In addition to this there are literally hundreds of sub channels crossing all through the delta, so you could pick out a route of your own based on one of the three main channels. Take care coming off the main routes as good navigation or sheer luck is needed – we had more of the second. Still, I would highly recommend getting into these narrow channels if you can, as it will surprise you what you find!

From research and local advice we chose the southern channel to Sfantul Gheorghe route. It was a truly magic route, which I would highly recommend. The village of Sfantul Gheorghe is laid back, small…and perfect. There is a superb campsite in town or fancy lodge options if you feel you earned it! Mid-August there is a very alternative film festival in this village, with an excellent party to boot, so if you can time your arrival to coincide with this it will be a fitting end. On the other routes, the northern route is probably the least frequented. Ending in the town of Bystroe takes in some Ukrainian towns, so if you have a visa it could be very interesting place to travel. The central route to Sulina is the main cargo channel, so may be easiest to navigate and holds the true end point of the Danube in a lighthouse, so if you’re a purist, perhaps this is your one." What about the Danube-Black Sea Canal? The Black Sea Canal is a 45km shortcut that took us from the Danube to the Black Sea avoiding the delta.

If you are not in a rush our advice would certainly be to take the river route to the sea, taking in the famously spectacular scenery. The canal, however, is accessible to canoes and kayaks with one lock at either end if you choose to take this route. You are not permitted to enter the locks and there is no set up for portaging, for this you just have to clamber up the banks and do it yourself. The canal is also called the canal of death due to the great number of slave labourers who died there in poor conditions. It is a grim and eerie place. It is a very unique experience but not an entirely pleasant one. Where it finishes in Agigea we were forbidden access near and beyond the lock since it is a large port. To reach the sea is therefore a particularly long portage. Do I need a water purifier? We took chlorine tablets which we did use fairly often from Serbia onwards. However, you can certainly get by without simply by having a decent amount of water storage and topping up whenever you get the chance. For safety it is always best to carry something, just in case. Have more questions?

Countries of the Danube River Basin | ICPDR - International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Countries of the Danube River Basin Countries of the Danube River Basin 19 countries share the Danube River Basin, which makes it the world’s most international river basin. More than 81 million people of different cultures and languages call the Danube Basin their home, for centuries they have been interconnected through the widely ramified water system of the Danube. All countries sharing over 2,000 km² of the Danube River Basin and the European Union are contracting parties of the ICPDR. Below, you find a table with some general information on all countries that have a share in the Danube River Basin. You can also find more detailed information for those countries which are contracting parties of the ICPDR on dedicated pages: Germany - Austria - Czech Republic - Slovakia - Hungary - Slovenia - Croatia - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia - Montenegro - Romania - Bulgaria - Moldova - Ukraine . Basic information on the countries in the Danube River Basin Country

Question: In which country does the River Danube enter the Black Sea?
Answer: ROMANIA